In a bid to de-escalate increasing diplomatic tensions, Pakistan on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan's comments regarding Afghanistan were reported out of context in the media, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office.
This comes a day after Afghanistan lodged a strong protest with Pakistan by summoning the country's Deputy Ambassador "with respect to the recent irresponsible remarks" by Khan. Following this, Afghanistan also recalled its ambassador from Pakistan "for further discussions on the matter."
Quoting Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal, Geo News reported that Khan referred to Pakistan's model, where elections are held under an interim government. Faisal added that Khan's comments should not be "misinterpreted to imply interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs."
The spokesperson further stated that the Pakistani Prime Minister had taken a "personal interest" in facilitating the political reconciliation process in Afghanistan, and wanted to promote peace in the nation.
Khan recently remarked that an interim government should be put in place in Afghanistan to facilitate peace talks with the Taliban as the current government creates "obstruction", according to TOLOnews.
Following this, Afghanistan's foreign ministry said: "Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its grave objection on Pakistani PM's recent reckless statements about the peace process and establishment of an interim government, deemed such statements an obvious example of Pakistan's interventional policy and disrespect to the national sovereignty and determination of the people of Afghanistan."
Khan's remarks were met with strong criticism across political lines in Afghanistan.
Slamming Khan's remarks, Afghanistan's former national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar said: "Recent statement by Pakistani Prime Minister is interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs. The Afghan government derives its legitimacy from the Afghan people, but not from the leaders of regional countries who strive to meddle in our internal affairs and decide on the future of our government and our politics.